Excuse the self indulgence but as someone usually time constrained to 20-30 mile early morning runs, I decided to take advantage of being home alone and go out for a longer spin today. Having managed some longer rides to 56 miles on hols in France during the summer, I decided to go for 100k today factoring in some hills, including one categorized climb I've been promising my conscience for a while now!
Started badly with a puncture only 7 miles in and soon after my computer gave up in the rain! But I battled on, struggled up the climb (had to resort to the granny ring
), struggled with a headwind on the middle flat section that I thought would give me some rest after the hills, back up the hills again, and then added a few circuits of familiar loops when I got close to home (I knew I was close to 100k but without the computer I didn't want to take any chances, so just kept going until I really had to get home and get ready to collect my wife and children from the airport).
Anyhows, just plotted to route on mapmyride and it came out at 123km (76 miles) so I am feeling pleased with myself. Was prob a bit down on my usual average speed and was struggling up any sort of hill towards the end but all in all chuffed given I don't often get out for longer runs and because I made it up the climbs. Gave me some confidence to push on to possibly enter some events next year and crack the 100 miles. Bonus too in that I bumped into a cyclist who lives just round the corner and suggested I join his cycling club.
Started badly with a puncture only 7 miles in and soon after my computer gave up in the rain! But I battled on, struggled up the climb (had to resort to the granny ring
), struggled with a headwind on the middle flat section that I thought would give me some rest after the hills, back up the hills again, and then added a few circuits of familiar loops when I got close to home (I knew I was close to 100k but without the computer I didn't want to take any chances, so just kept going until I really had to get home and get ready to collect my wife and children from the airport). Anyhows, just plotted to route on mapmyride and it came out at 123km (76 miles) so I am feeling pleased with myself. Was prob a bit down on my usual average speed and was struggling up any sort of hill towards the end but all in all chuffed given I don't often get out for longer runs and because I made it up the climbs. Gave me some confidence to push on to possibly enter some events next year and crack the 100 miles. Bonus too in that I bumped into a cyclist who lives just round the corner and suggested I join his cycling club.